Tobacco smoking in Egypt: a scoping literature review of its epidemiology and control measures

Background: According to World Health Organization [WHO] reports, the prevalence of smoking is increasing in many developing countries, including Egypt. The aim of this study is to summarize the published data in the literature about tobacco smoking in Egypt. Methods: A computerized literature search of PubMed and relevant Egyptian journals was conducted using the relevant keywords. The findings of retrieved studies were extracted and discussed in a narrative approach. Results: Our search retrieved 44 relevant studies. The most updated prevalence of tobacco smoking in Egypt is 22% in 2010 and is increasing. Highly significant odds ratios were reported for sibling, parent, and peer smoking as risk factors for smoking. Cardiovascular disorders, malignant tumors, and erectile dysfunction are common complications of smoking in the Egyptian population. Efforts to control tobacco smoking are available, but inadequate. Conclusions: Tobacco smoking is a prevalent health problem in Egypt, associated with cardiovascular disorders and malignant tumors. Health education programmes should be delivered through mass media and school-based programmes to reach a large section of the Egyptian population

Prognostic value of matrix metalloprotinease2 [MMP-2] and p53 expression in colorectal carcinoma patients with lymph node metastasis

P53 gene mutation occurs in about 50-60% of colorectal carcinoma [CRC] patients. The key enzymes responsible for extracellular matrix breakdown are matrix metalloproteinases [MMPs]. These have been reported to plug an important role in tumor cell invasion and metastasis, which are major factors in the morbidity and mortality of CRC. The study included 46 patients with CRC who were diagnosed and treated in Mansoura University Hospital d w the period between January 1999 to January 2001. They were treated with left or right hemicolectomy, anterior resection or total mesolectal excision. These included 24 males and 22 females with age ranged from 22-70 year with median age of 46 years [+/- 1 4] Immunohistochemically staining of both tumor and positive lymph nodes was performed on paraffin sections for p53 and MMP2. Twenty one patients were stage C with lymph node metastasis. P53 diffuse positive staining of the tumor cell nuclei was identified in 16 out of 46 [3596] tumor cases and 10 out of 21 [48%] of metastatic tumors. Cytoplasmic MMP-2 expression was positive in 20 out of 46 [43%] tumors, where its expression in the stroma was positive in 17[37%] In lymph node metastasis, cytoplasmic MMP-2 was positive in 11 out of 21 [52%] of tumors. There was a statistical correlation between p53 and MMP-2 expression in lymph node metastatic tumors [p<0.05]M. MP-2 was seen more in tumor cells invading the muscular is with little staining in more superficial areas. Poor survival was associated with MMP2, p53 expression in patients with 1ymph node metastasis. Lymph node metastatic tumors have higher incidence of p53 and MMP2 staining. These data suggest a role for MMP-2 in colorectal cancer with lymph node metastasis. These results confirm the prognostic value of MMP-2 and p53 on survival of CRC